James Westphal
Encyclopedia
James Adolf Westphal was an American
academic, scientist
, engineer
, inventor and astronomer
and Director of Caltech's Palomar Observatory
from 1994 through 1997.
His participation played an important role in designing the main camera for the Hubble Space Telescope
.
in 1961. His first job as senior engineer; and he remained at the Institute for the remainder of his career. He came to Caltech initially on a four-month leave of absence from Sinclair Research Labs in Tulsa, Oklahoma
, but never left.
In 1971, Westphal joined the Caltech faculty an associate professor of planetary science; and he was named professor in 1976. Across a span of years, Wesphal's interest in ground-based projects caused him to decline invitations to turn his attention to astronomical work, but when he finally agreed, his commitment and enthusiasm was unrestrained.
Former graduate student Richard Terrile remembers that Westphal "not only taught me about astronomy and science, but also about more down-to-earth topics like self-reliance, dealing with people, and how to keep focused when things go bad. Jim had a wonderful way of reducing a problem to its most basic form. He said, 'There are always two ways to deal with a problem: You can get angry and upset and then try and fix it, or you can just fix it. Which way would you rather work on it?'".
In addition to tenure, Westphal's talents earned him a MacArthur Fellowship
in 1991 -- all without a Ph.D.
collection.
Gerry Neugebauer, who was Westphal's predecessor as Director of Palomar Observatory, explained,
"What I liked most about Jim was how much he enjoyed science. He did fun stuff superbly and was interested in the way things really worked. Whatever he did, he saw new applications in totally different fields and was not afraid to try out a new technique or idea." This approach had consequences; and over his career he wrote 133 scientific papers.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
academic, scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
, engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, inventor and astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
and Director of Caltech's Palomar Observatory
Palomar Observatory
Palomar Observatory is a privately owned observatory located in San Diego County, California, southeast of Pasadena's Mount Wilson Observatory, in the Palomar Mountain Range. At approximately elevation, it is owned and operated by the California Institute of Technology...
from 1994 through 1997.
His participation played an important role in designing the main camera for the Hubble Space Telescope
Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope is a space telescope that was carried into orbit by a Space Shuttle in 1990 and remains in operation. A 2.4 meter aperture telescope in low Earth orbit, Hubble's four main instruments observe in the near ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared...
.
Caltech
Westphal began his career at California Institute of TechnologyCalifornia Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
in 1961. His first job as senior engineer; and he remained at the Institute for the remainder of his career. He came to Caltech initially on a four-month leave of absence from Sinclair Research Labs in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
, but never left.
In 1971, Westphal joined the Caltech faculty an associate professor of planetary science; and he was named professor in 1976. Across a span of years, Wesphal's interest in ground-based projects caused him to decline invitations to turn his attention to astronomical work, but when he finally agreed, his commitment and enthusiasm was unrestrained.
Former graduate student Richard Terrile remembers that Westphal "not only taught me about astronomy and science, but also about more down-to-earth topics like self-reliance, dealing with people, and how to keep focused when things go bad. Jim had a wonderful way of reducing a problem to its most basic form. He said, 'There are always two ways to deal with a problem: You can get angry and upset and then try and fix it, or you can just fix it. Which way would you rather work on it?'".
In addition to tenure, Westphal's talents earned him a MacArthur Fellowship
MacArthur Fellows Program
The MacArthur Fellows Program or MacArthur Fellowship is an award given by the John D. and Catherine T...
in 1991 -- all without a Ph.D.
Palomar
In 1973, Westphal built a silicon-intensified target camera for the 200-inch Hale Telescope at Palomar. The innovation was 20 times more sensitive to light than the photographic film then being used. That camera is now in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space MuseumNational Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It was established in 1976. Located in Washington, D.C., United States, it is a center for research into the history and science of aviation and...
collection.
Gerry Neugebauer, who was Westphal's predecessor as Director of Palomar Observatory, explained,
"What I liked most about Jim was how much he enjoyed science. He did fun stuff superbly and was interested in the way things really worked. Whatever he did, he saw new applications in totally different fields and was not afraid to try out a new technique or idea." This approach had consequences; and over his career he wrote 133 scientific papers.
Selected works
- 1991 -- Wide Field/planetary Camera: Final Orbital/science Verification Report with S M Faber, Wide Field/Planetary Camera Investigation Definition Team. Baltimore, Maryland: Space Telescope Science Institute (U.S.). OCLC 25677856
External links
- NASA/National Space Science Data CenterNational Space Science Data CenterThe National Space Science Data Center serves as the permanent archive for NASA space science mission data. "Space science" pertains to astronomy and astrophysics, solar and space plasma physics, and planetary and lunar science...
(NSSDCNational Space Science Data CenterThe National Space Science Data Center serves as the permanent archive for NASA space science mission data. "Space science" pertains to astronomy and astrophysics, solar and space plasma physics, and planetary and lunar science...
) Westphal - NASA Technical Research ServiceNASA STI ProgramThe Scientific and Technical Information Program Office of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration collects, organizes, preserves, and releases the Agency's scientific and technical information . STI is derived from NASA's research and development efforts and NASA projects, programs,...
(NTRSNASA STI ProgramThe Scientific and Technical Information Program Office of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration collects, organizes, preserves, and releases the Agency's scientific and technical information . STI is derived from NASA's research and development efforts and NASA projects, programs,...
): Westphal